Gavin Maxwell & Eilean Bān
| Aristocrat, adventurer, naturalist, conservationist, secret agent, shark hunter, racing driver,
painter and social renegade: Gavin Maxwell (1914 - 1969) was not only a most remarkable Scotsman, but also one of the
most popular authors of wildlife books of the last century, with "The Ring of Bright Water"
being his most famous work, having sold over a million copies worldwide. Maxwell bought the Eilean Bān cottages in 1963, 3 years after they had been put up for sale by The Northern Lighthouse Board, following the automation of the lighthouse. However it was not until January 1968 that he came to live on Eilean Bān full-time, after fire destroyed his cottage at Sandaig (a place known in his books by the name Camusfearna). He remained on Eilean Bān until his death in September 1969. "I felt drawn to Kyleakin as I had to few places in my life... I felt as if I were coming home." Gavin Maxwell - 'Raven Seek Thy Brother' Staying true to the diversity that characterised his life, Maxwell planned a number of different enterprises while living on Eilean Bān. These included encouraging Eider Ducks to breed on Eilean Dudh (the neighbouring, smaller island) so that the down from their nests could be harvested, and establishing a collection of wild animals indigenous to Scotland to create a private zoo. He was considering allowing small groups of people to visit the island by boat departing from the shores of Skye, where a visitor centre and shop would welcome them, just like the Bright Water Visitor Centre that we have today. Before Maxwell bought the islands cottages they had been home to the lighthouse keepers and their families. The living space was therefore naturally divided in two. It was Richard Frere who removed the dividing wall between the 2 living rooms, creating a dramatic 40ft space for Maxwell that became known as the Long Room. The Long Room is now a museum to Maxwell's life, recreated after much research by Virginia McKenna. A room of sophistication and elegance, it gives an impression of the complex creative man who lived there. A man who through his writing was able to open the eyes of many to the wild beauty of the Highlands, and captivate still more with the stories of the life he shared with his otters. Books and ReferencesTrilogy: Ring of Bright Water / The Rocks Remain / Raven Seek Thy BrotherISBN 0140290494 An online biography by Maxwell's nephew Sir Michael Maxwell, is available at http://www.maxwellsociety.com/Biography/Artists.htm Biography: Gavin Maxwell - a life (1993) by Douglas Botting. ISBN 1897784856 Maxwell's Ghost by his good friend Richard Frere ISBN: 1841580031 White Island by John Lister-Kaye The story of how John was invited to Eilean Bān by Maxwell to help write a book on British mammals and to help convert the island into a private zoo for birds and mammals of the West Highlands. The title Ring of Bright Water is taken from the poem 'The Marriage of Psyche', by Kathleen Raine (1908-2003). Raine talks of her relationship with Maxwell in the third volume of her autobiography, The Lion's Mouth (1977). Some of Kathleen's poems can be found online here. A stone monument to Maxwell can be found at Sandaig (Camusfearna), positioned in the location of his old writing desk. There is also a monument to the otter Edal, who died in the fire at Camusfearna (see Sandaig Walk). Ring of Bright Water web site - A web site by Peter van den Berg dedicated to the book and it's author Gavin Maxwell. Some information on the film version of Ring of Bright water (directed by Jack Couffer) can be found at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064893/ Winifred Nicholson painting: View from Gavin Maxwell's (Hebridean Flowers), 1958. Oil on canvas, 57 x 69 cm. If you have any suggestions for links, or information related to Maxwell or his otter's that might be of interest, please use the details on our Contact page. |
Maxwell Timeline
1914 Born, July 15th, Elrig, near Monreith (Dumfries & Galloway). Education: Stowe School & Oxford University 1945 Begins the shark fishery(1945-48) on Soay that inspires his first novel 1952 Harpoon at a venture published 1956 Acquires first otter Mijbil. Published God Protect Me from My Friends 1957 Mijbil killed by workman. A Reed Shaken by the Wind published, about the Marsh Arabs of Iraq. 1959 Acquires Edal. Published The Pains of Death 1960 Ring of Bright Water published - eventual sales total over 1 million. Teko arrives at Sandaig (8 months old) 1962 The Otters Tale published. 1963 The Rocks Remain published. Maxwell buys the Eilean Bān cottages 1965 The House of Elrig published 1966 Lords of the Atlas published 1968 Sandaig (Camusfearna) cottage destroyed by fire. Death of Edal. Published Raven Seek Thy Brother 1969 Film version of Ring of Bright Water 1969 Maxwell died of cancer, September 7th, Inverness. Teko died of heart attack on 21st September |
Views of the Long Room
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"The Long Room was a room for sitting and looking; it reflected the life of a fascinating man; it was
a room thick with the atmosphere of travel and adventure and excitement."
from 'The White Island', by John Lister-Kaye
